Cook Islands tourists stranded as backlog of flights continues
A backlog of flights is likely to remain for at least another week in Rarotonga, as the Auckland floods disrupt travel plans for thousands of visitors, with some people having to rebook for the end of the week. Cook
Cook Islands govt pays Air NZ US$3.5 million in tax
The Cook Islands government has paid $5.4 million (US$3.5 million) to Air New Zealand following a High Court case in Rarotonga. The Court ruled in the airline’s favour and said Air New Zealand taxes should be paid
Cooks’ PM vows to change law as parliament delayed by petitions
The new Cook Islands Parliament has still not held a sitting, despite its general election taking place more than five months ago. It will not sit until March at the earliest. The country is waiting for the outcome of
Pacific People 2022: Women At The Helm
The three key Pacific Islands fisheries organisations head into 2023 with competent, charismatic women at the helm. Rhea Moss-Christian of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now heads the Western and Central Pacific
Cook Islands tourism industry faces spectre of fewer visitors
Cook Islands Tourism operators are preparing for a quiet few months, as visitor numbers drop as predicted. In November there were 10,278 visitors to the Cook Islands, a drop of about 24 per cent compared to October
Honolulu-Rarotonga flight to commence in May 2023
Tourism operators now have the North American market in their sights, with the first airfares of the Honolulu-Rarotonga flight going online this week. The flights, in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, will cost
Wellington happy to help Cook Islands join UN
The New Zealand government says the country will offer assistance if the Cook Islands bids to join the United Nations. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has previously said his country could pursue UN membership to
Final defects programme to ‘complete’ US$56m Raratonga project
The final defects programme for the Rarotonga water project should be completed in December, bringing an end to the “nearly” $90 million (US$56 million) project. Financial secretary Garth Henderson told Cook Islands
PM Brown to lead Cook Islands delegation to COP27
Prime Minister Mark Brown is heading up a Cook Islands delegation to Egypt this week, where leaders from around the world will be gathering for the 27th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). Running
Australia, NZ ministers visiting Pacific neighbours this week
It has been another big week for high level visits from Australia and New Zealand into the region, with PNG, Nauru, Marshall Islands and Cook Islands all receiving ministerial-level visits. Australia’s deputy Prime
Fisheries businesses off to Mauritius
Seven members of the business community across the region have been selected for a business peer-to-peer exchange programme in Mauritius this month. Pacific Islands Forum Director of Programmes & Initiatives, Zarak
Pacific Community’s Agricultural Gene Bank wins Global Award
The Pacific region, where most people depend on agriculture and fisheries for sustenance and income, is now one step ahead in food security, Inter Press Service reports. The region’s agricultural gene bank,
Deep Sea Mining pilot gets go ahead
Piloting of deep sea mining by the Metals Company has been given the green light by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This follows the ISA’s review of an environmental impact statement (EIS) and environmental
Bridging the digital divide in the Cook Islands
Cook Islands’ Avaroa Cable Limited (ACL) has revealed its selection of Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP to further improve the nation’s ICT via turnkey provision from Samoa to Australia. The state-owned enterprise
Oceania mourns passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Pacific leaders to attend state funeral Oceania is mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch at age 96. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna said: “Her impact
Designer’s Cook Islands climate crisis plans win two international awards
The first-ever town plan for Cook Islands’ capital, Avarua, has won an International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) award for its response to the climate crisis. The honour, awarded to Auckland/Wânaka
‘If we win, it’s going to be huge!’ : Cook Islands Cricket coach
The Cook Islands national cricket squad departed for Auckland last week to join the other half of their team before going to the East Asia Pacific Sub-Regional Qualifying Tournament in Vanuatu. The national side,
Cook Islands at FEMM: tourism and crisis recovery finance
Islands Business reporter Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti has been talking to Pacific Islands ministers and officials at the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Vanuatu about their economic priorities and regional
Remembering Dr Majorie Crocombe: Puna
Across the Pacific, from the smallest atolls to the busiest cities, from the sleepy silences to the never-ending online chat streams, wherever there is an educated or Pacific-facing leader, thinker or creative, there is
Poll finds Brown as Cook Islands ‘preferred PM’
A poll conducted by Cook Islands News has revealed a divided electorate in the lead-up to today’s election, however a large percentage prefer Prime Minister Mark Brown to lead the country. According to the
Early voting in Cook Islands
With nine days left until the General Election on Monday, 1 August, 174 people have already exercised their right to vote, says Cook Islands chief electoral officer Taggy Tangimetua. Tangimetua said a lot of the votes
Cook Islands: 5m waves expected, tourists urged to delay travel
A Cook Islands tourism operator is advising New Zealand travellers to consider putting off their travel as waves of up to 5 metres are expected. Last week, the south coast of the Cook Islands was hit by 4.5m waves which
Tonga making waves in Pacific Netball
In light of their recent success in the PacificAus tournament earlier in March this year, the Tonga Netball team will be hoping to continue top performance in the Netball World Cup Pacific Qualifiers this week in Suva,
